The featured race at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver on October 7 was the Grade 3 BC Premiers for three-year-olds and upwards going a mile and three-eighths. The race, worth $100,000, was won by Pauline Felicella’s SUNBIRD ($7.30) under Amadeo Perez, who stalked a slow early pace and flew home late to win in a very good time of 2:17.89 for trainer Terry Jordan. Bryan and Carol Anderson’s AT ATTENTION was part of a very slow early tempo (24.71, 49.70 and 1:15.85) under Antonio Reyes but couldn’t sprint home with the winner and ended up a clear runner-up. WYN Racing Stables ACCIDENTAL HERO was hurt by the pedestrian pace and did well to rescue third money after being far back early.
Sunbird, a son of Orb – Markeywat by After Market, was coming off a second-place finish by just a head in the BC Derby to Accidental Hero. A $17,000 purchase through a digital sale in 2022 put on by Fasig-Tipton, Sunbird has won five of seven races and over $122,000.
The great western Canadian mare INFINITE PATIENCE rolled home to win the $100,000 Ballerina for fillies and mares going nine furlongs, as expected, for Bill DeCoursey and RNH Stables of Ryan Nugent Hopkins. INFINITE PATIENCE ($2.40) took home top honours under Antonio Reyes in 1:49.48. The daughter of Sungold was tucked in behind the speed early, then snuck through on the inside down the backside and drew clear to another impressive score for trainer Barbara Heads. Canmor Farm’s ABOVE AVERAGE turned in a big effort under Silvino Morales, racing wide through much of the trip and running on well to be a clear second. Willow Creek Farm’s WE B THREE was squeezed a bit away from the gate and trailed the field early. Fortunately, Amadeo Perez quickly got her back in contention behind the winner on the rail and she ran on nicely to be third.
Infinite Patience, now six, has 19 wins in 25 races and $594,974 in earnings.
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